Background

After you've completed the work detailed in Chapter 2,
"Installation Prep," you are finally ready to get down to the business
of actually installing Windows XP Professional. With Windows XP, Microsoft has
made the installation process fairly simple and foolproof, but it will be a bit
of a difference to those who have never installed Windows NT or Windows 2000
before. As discussed in Chapter 1, "Introduction to Windows XP,"
Windows XP Professional acts like Windows 2000 on the inside, as it is built on
the ever-stable Windows 2000 code-base, but it's friendlier and easier to
get along with on the outside. With the exception of the activation process
(which some folks find invasive or at best annoying) the installation procedure
and related options benefit from Microsoft's friendly XP approach.

In this chapter, we'll be looking at four major areas concerning
installation:

Uninstalling Windows XP ProfessionalA great feature
previously unheard of in Windowsbut it has limitations. We will look at
uninstalling Windows XP Professional in depth.

Understanding Microsoft Product ActivationA not too welcome
addition to the Windows world, Product Activation has caused quite a stir. We
will be taking an in-depth look into Product Activation, including how it works,
what it does, and how it affects you.

Setup switchesPowerful ways exist in which to modify and
customize the behavior of the Windows XP Professional Setup routine. By using
various switches and combinations of switches with the setup commands,
winnt32.exe and winnt.exe, you truly can have it your way.

Automated System RecoveryAlthough not properly part of
installing and setting up a Windows XP Professional installation, ASR is a
valuable and important part of Windows XP that should not be overlookedthe
sooner you understand it the sooner you can make it work for you.

To learn more about installing Windows XP Professional by using unattended
installation methods.